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Brother SM3701 Sewing Machine Review
The Brother SM3701 sewing machine balances simplicity and functionality. It is a beginner-friendly sewing machine that is designed with ease of use in mind. The mechanical machine has a variety of stitching options and features that are convenient to use and ensure a smoother sewing experience.
Be it home decor, creative projects, or basic alterations, the Brother SM 3701 is flexible enough to handle a range of types of fabric. It is lightweight and has a user-friendly build that can be easily navigated by both beginners and seasoned sewists. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s dive into the details.
Key Features:
Versatile Stitching Options
- 37 Built-in Stitches
- One-Step Buttonhole
- Adjustable Stitch Width & Length
Ease of Use & Automation
- Automatic Needle Thread
- Quick-Set, Top-Loading Bobbin
- Dial Stitch Selection
Fabric Handling & Control
- 6-Point Feed Dog System
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Drop Feed Mechanism
Comfort & Portability
- Lightweight & Compact Design
- LED Work Light
- Free Arm Sewing
Specifications:
| Product Specification | Details |
| Brand | Brother |
| Model Name | SM3701 |
| Color | White with gray accents |
| Machine Type | Mechanical |
| Built-in Stitches | 37 (including utility, decorative, and stretch stitches) |
| Buttonhole Styles | 1 one-step automatic buttonhole |
| Thread Tension Control | Manual adjustment dial |
| Needle Threader | Built-in automatic needle threader |
| Presser Foot Adjustment | Manual |
| Feed System | 6-point feed dogs for smooth fabric movement |
| Free Arm | Yes, for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and small openings |
| Drop Feed | Yes, for free-motion sewing and quilting |
| Control Buttons | Reverse stitch lever |
| Bobbin Winding | Automatic winding system |
| Display | No digital display, stitch selection via dial |
| Maximum Stitch Width | 5mm |
| Maximum Stitch Length | 4mm |
| Sewing Speed | Up to 800 stitches per minute |
| Automatic Thread Cutter | No |
| Included Accessories | 4 presser feet, extra spools, needles, seam ripper, spool caps, and a dust cover |
| Compatible Accessories | Additional Brother presser feet and quilting accessories |
Pros and Cons
Visual Breakdown: Brother SM3701 Sewing Machine
Measurements
The Brother SM3701 sewing machine has a compact build. It measures 12 inches in height, 15.3 inches in length, and 5.8 inches in width. Its lightweight structure makes it portable. Due to the design and size, it is easy to store the sewing machine while offering a sturdy workspace.
User-Friendly Control Knob
The front stitch selection dial is made to be intuitive, and users can change stitches by a turn. Its clear-to-read numbers promote proper selection, and it is also easy to use, particularly for beginners.
Stitch Patterns
37 built-in stitches are listed on the right-hand panel in easy accessibility. It enables users to select and recognize a desired stitch easily. The machine is ready for a wide range of sewing tasks, from simple stitches to professional projects.
Automatic Needle Threader
The Brother SM 3701 features an automatic needle threader, ensuring that threading is quick and easy. This element prevents eye fatigue and frustration, especially for newcomers, by threading the needle quickly.
Presser Foot
The presser foot shown is for smooth feeding of fabric and accurate stitching. It keeps the fabric stable without bunching or movement, for clean and even stitches in sewing projects.
Bobbin System
The top drop-in thread system can be seen at the bottom left area of the picture. The easy-to-insert and visible design minimizes thread jams and ensures optimal performance.
Brother SM3701 Sewing Machine Review
User-Friendly Design & Stitching Experience
The SM3701 is a mechanical machine that is simple to operate, so it’s a great option for hobby sewists and newbies. Unlike computerized sewing machines, the machine uses manual controls, which provide a more interactive experience. The stitch selector dial is on the front panel, and operators can easily select among 37 built-in stitches by turning the dial. From simple straight stitches to stretch and decorative stitches, this machine offers sufficient variety for most daily sewing tasks.
Its small and lightweight frame is convenient to store and move around, suitable for individuals who do not have much working space. Since it is portable, its durable metal frame supports solidity while minimizing vibration levels to provide simple sewing. With its easy installation and easy-to-use design, the SM3701 is a hassle-free sewing experience for anyone from beginner to advanced sewists.
Practical Features & Efficiency
The SM3701 has key features that provide simple and efficient sewing. The automatic needle threader is time and effort-saving as it threads the needle in seconds without manual threading. The top-loading thread system also provides quick and jam-free operation. The clear bobbin cover enables users to keep track of the thread supply, minimizing interruptions in sewing.
With 37 stitches, the user has a choice of basic, decorative, and stretch stitches to match various kinds of fabrics and sewing operations. The single-step buttonhole makes sewing of buttons easy with uniform and professional finish. Stitch length and width are adjustable, offering additional flexibility to deliver greater accuracy. The 6-point feed dog system aids in smooth feeding of the fabric to avoid bunching or uneven stitching.
Limitations & Considerations
While a good beginner machine, the SM3701 has some weaknesses to point out. It lacks automatic stitch selection and speed control, unlike computerized models, and the operator will have to adjust them manually through the manipulation of the stitch dial and foot pedal. This may be a slight learning curve for beginners.
Additionally, the machine is good with light to mid-weight materials, but it may struggle with thicker materials like heavy denim, canvas, or leather. Sewists that deal with such material types may need to use specialized needles and adjust stitch settings accordingly.
Beyond these negatives, however, the Brother SM 3701 is a general-purpose and durable solution for sewists who need a cheap, and simple sewing machine with basic capabilities required for daily sewing activities.
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Customer Review
What can I say? I love this machine. I have a couple of machines with all the bells and whistles, but this machine is my favorite out of all the 8 machines I have and the 2 old ones I gave away years ago. The sm 3701 lets me do what I want most and that is sew, I don’t have to go through a bunch of settings just to find out that stitch isn’t the one I am looking for.
I like that it is so simple and reminds me of the old days when I used to sew for hours at a time. The SM 3701 has beautiful stitches and is lightweight, I can sew just about anywhere, even outside. I love that the SM 3701 is easy to thread like my other machines and has enough stitch settings to keep me happy. I have my sew-jo back!
FAQs
What accessories are included with the Brother SM 3701?
The Brother SM3701 sewing machine comes with several essential accessories, including:
- Four presser feet (Zigzag Foot, Zipper Foot, Buttonhole Foot, Button Sewing Foot)
- Bobbin set
- Needles
- Seam ripper
- Screwdriver
- Darning plate
- Foot pedal
- Instruction manual
Is the Brother SM 3701 Sewing Machine a mechanical or computerized sewing machine?
The Brother SM 3701 is a mechanical sewing machine, meaning that it operates with manual controls as opposed to a digital control panel. It uses a dial-type stitch selector instead of an LCD display, and this makes it simple and trustworthy for normal sewing activities.
Is the Brother SM 3701 good for beginners?
Yes, the Brother SM3701 sewing machine is a great machine for beginners because many sewists on Quora have shared positive experiences with its user-friendly design, simple stitch selection dial, and jam-free bobbin system. The machine is simple to set up and operate, and it is perfect for learning to sew. Beginners should be aware that it does have manual speed control with the foot pedal, which will take some getting used to.